Andrew Craig Emerson

Andrew Craig (“Andy”) Emerson passed away peacefully and surrounded by loving family on December 23, 2022, concluding a long and remarkable life but leaving all who knew him with the warmest and fondest memories.

Andy was born February 11, 1929, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of K.C. “Mike” and Lucille Godfrey Emerson. Andy was educated in the Angola, Indiana, public schools and graduated from Angola High School in 1947. He graduated from Purdue University in 1951 and earned Bachelor of Laws with High Distinction and Order of the Coif from Indiana University School of Law in 1953.

After a short time practicing law with a South Bend firm, Andy was offered the opportunity to participate as an infantryman in the Korean War but elected instead to enter service as First Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General’s Department of the United States Air Force. He served three largely uneventful years at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. After service, Andy, with his wife and young son (the years weren’t entirely uneventful), returned to Bloomington where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree while also serving as a Faculty Associate in the Law School.

Andy then took a position as head of the Legal Department of Indianapolis Life Insurance Company, a position he held, with various titles, for the next 38 years, retiring as Vice President and General Counsel in 1996. During those 38 years, he was Secretary-Treasurer of the Association of Indiana Life Insurance Companies for 25 years; Chairman of the Indiana State Bar Association Insurance Committee for 20 years; twice Chairman of the Indiana Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association; member of the Boards of Managers of both the Indianapolis and Indiana State Bar Associations; member of the Legal Sections of the American Life Convention and the American Council of Life Insurance; and member of the Indianapolis Estate Planning Council.

He was also active in his church and community: President and 50-year Life Member of North Downtown Indianapolis Sertoma Club; twice President of the Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association; President of Broad Ripple High School APT; Chairman of the Troop Committee of Boy Scout Troop 174; Elder and President of the Board of Trustees of First-Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church; and lonely Democrat poll worker in a predominately Republican precinct.

Andy’s honors included Sagamore of the Wabash awarded by Governor Evan Bayh; Honorary Colonel and Aide-de-Camp of the New Mexico National Guard; Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation; Delta Rho Kappa (Purdue Science honorary fraternity); Order of the Coif; and Beta Gamma Sigma (business honor society). He was also twice awarded the Presidential Citation for Meritorious Service by the Indiana State Bar Association.

After his retirement, Andy was President of the Indianapolis Literary Club and Chairman of the Senior Lawyers Section of the Indiana State Bar Association.

Andy spent his life vainly trying to satisfy his relentless curiosity about nearly all things. He wasn’t just an avid reader—his habit would be better characterized as voracious. As a consequence, he was a true Renaissance man, with astounding expertise in American and European history, sports, science, the arts, politics, as well as mastery of all things related to the tedious legal intricacies of taxation, life insurance, and estate planning. On top of (or despite) that, he was able to maintain a great sense of humor, tilting to the sardonic.

But Andy’s family was the focus of his life. In 1951, he performed what he characterized as the most important thing of his lifetime—marrying the love of his life, Marilyn Kling. He remained utterly entranced by Marilyn throughout the 67 years of their marriage and even after her passing in 2018. During their marriage, Andy and Marilyn were nearly inseparable—truly whole only in each other’s presence. They were also avid and enthusiastic travelers, visiting all 50 states, 28 foreign countries, and four continents. Their favorite destination, without doubt, was London. After Marilyn’s passing, Andy’s daughter-in-law, Ginny, became his best buddy and caregiver. Their relationship blossomed into one of profound love and devotion.

Most importantly, Andy was, through and through, a genuinely good man—a devoted husband, a loving father, a doting grandfather, and a kind, if mildly astonished, great-grandfather. He had countless friends and no enemies to speak of. His family members adored him and continue to marvel at their extraordinary good fortune to have known, loved, and been loved by him. He was really a great guy and will be missed terribly.

Andy is survived by his four sons, Dan (Ginny), Mark (Debbie), John, and Mike (Genny), six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and five step-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by Marilyn, his parents, and his older brother, Vice Admiral David F. Emerson, US Navy.

A visitation will be held at Flanner Buchanan – Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220 on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 pm and a memorial service will be held at Robin Run Village, 5354 W. 62nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268, on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to the Indiana Historical Society or the charity of your choice.